Warning! Spoiler alert!
Story
The idea of a battle royale/death game isn't exactly new to anime landscape, but it can still be interesting if the show puts an interesting spin on this concept and what High-Rise Invasion does is introduce masks that give their wearers superhuman powers but take away their humanity. Protagonist Yuri is constantly forced to adapt, survive and make unusual alliances in order to save in what appears to be a game intended to create the perfect god, the specifics of which are never developed within the series.
Something I found really intriguing about High-Rise Invasion was the characters constantly switching and forming alliances, mostly out of convenience, but sometimes because of genuine friendship. It really increases the emotional stakes and dramatic tension in the show. Sure, there are times when the fanservice and the comedy look misplaced, but for the most part, the show has a very good tone and an interesting story. (7/10)
Characters
Yuri has to be one of the best female protagonists I've seen in recent years. When she enters the game she doesn't become an all-powerful badass, she is merely a scared teenager who finds herself way out of her depth and the first time she wields a gun or fights someone, she is clumsy and she needs to think fast in order to stay alive. She reminds me of Lara Croft from the new Tomb Raider games. I really love Yuri, not in spite of her flaws, but because of them.
I have trouble deciding who is the deuteragonist of the show: Yuri's brother Rika or the mysterious Sniper Mask. Both characters know each other and the show does dedicate a bit of time into their relationship and while Sniper Mask does have a bit more screentime, Rika's influence can be felt throughout the show, either as a motivation for Yuri or his own actions trying to survive the game.
I also loved the supporting parts of both Mayuko and Kuon. They both develop beautifully throughout the show. The former learns compassion and friendship through Yuri, while the latter learns how to be strong and to stand by her convictions from Sniper Mask. The connections between characters is one of the show's strongest aspects. (8/10)
Art
Sex and violence sell, that's a given. There is plenty of action in this series, as expected of a battle to the death. Sure, there is blood, but never to the point where it becomes obscene and grotesque. The fanservice, however, is more distracting than titilating. High-Rise Invasion will find any excuse to tear a girl's clothes to shreds or show their panties, and it's up to the viewer to decide whether it's titilating, hilarious or distracting. Still, the show has good artistic resources and that's something to be praised. (8/10)
Sounds
I really liked the soundtrack for this show, especially for the fight scenes. The vocal performances are also incredible. Despite their relatively short careers, Suzie Yeung (Yuri),Zeno Robinson (Rika) and Jonah Scott (Sniper Mask) have proven their talent by performing alongside powerhouses like Stephanie Sheh (Kuon), Johnny Young Bosch (Aikawa), Xanthe Huynh (the voice of the masks) and Cristina Valenzuela (Yayoi). I really hope they get more work after this. (8/10)
Conclusion
Let me be clear about this. High-Rise Invasion isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of imagination. Everything about this show has been done better by other works of fiction. Is it still worth watching? Yes. Why? Because it's fun, it has action, it has an ongoing mystery and likeable characters. This show is a very good way to spend your time on and I highly recommend it. (7/10)
